USING TRENDS AS A MEANS OF ILLUMINATING LIFE THROUGH EYE CATCHING PORTRAITS.
Visual art covers a broad spectrum, and as unique as they come they all have a way of fascinating the human eye. Today AVO magazine is pleased to share pleasantries, so relax and have a one on one with one of Botswana’s amazing young artists, whose artworks speak louder and scream perfection, attention to detail. Martin Sefako
Martin Sefako is a 23 year old young man from Mahalapye. He is an Architecture student at the University of Botswana, who is very passionate about art. Martin specializes in hyper realism art; which illuminates an object in its exact shape and form. When looking at his drawing portraits, one can see the energy invested into making sure that all features in the artwork are striking. He uses his pencil to show each and every detail, from the smile on the person’s face, the hair as it falls off and emotions through the person’s face. “People often compliment my work, saying the drawings are so real that they look like photographs”, he said.
The artistic young man said hyper realistic art brings his work to life. “It makes people relate more to my work and get the emotion and inspiration behind each portrait”, he expressed. He believes that in that way, it’s not only just art but rather a tool that communicates. A form of expression that carries meaning, that is fascinating and appealing.
“Drawing has always been a part of me” Martin stated. The young man started drawing at a really young age. He used art as a way of expressing himself, his fantasy imaginations, and at times art was his way of escaping from his troubles. One can see the connection that art has on human life, to some it’s a form of expression, to some an imaginary friend who brings a smile to one’s face, while others use it as a means of healing and relaxation. Sefako says that currently what inspires him to come up with wonderful pieces is trends.
The young man works alone, although sometimes he gives upcoming artists a platform to nurture their skills, by giving them some of his clients to draw. He is a man who believes in sharing and mentoring those who look up to him. Martin always leaves room for challenges, as he takes them head on as they come. “I don’t know if at all I can say I have encountered challenges,” he expanded. To Martin, art is about putting effort and trying to perfect your skills in every art piece.
When asked about how he markets himself, Martin revealed that he uses social media platforms, preferably Facebook because that is where he attained a lot of followers. He has a facebook page called ‘Art League Botswana,’ where he shares some of his skills with fellow artists and people who have the desire to draw their very own portraits. The young artist currently has a following of around sixty three thousand. “I believe i can still reach more people”, he stated.
Martin’s portraits are very affordable and worth every cent. For an A4 paper size portrait, black and white he charges 500 pula. For customers who would rather opt for a coloured and framed portrait, the price is a whooping 600 pula. For those who would like to see themselves in a rather bigger picture frame, that is a black and white portrait in an A0 page size, the young artist charges a minimum amount of 8000 pula, and 9600 pula for a coloured one. His artworks are priced at less than 10 000 pula, which gives individuals as well as organizations an opportunity to get their lifes penciled into a masterpiece which they can refer to and critique in years to come, and even get the opportunity to pass it to the next generation.
Art has evolved over decades. From the famous Mona Lisa artwork by Leornardo Da’Vinci, to the likes of Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gough. We have seen so much improvement with some of the artwork stored in museums to date. When asked about his inspiration Martin stated that indeed he acknowledges the good work of these famous artists. “I don’t see myself as the next Leornado Da Vinci, as much as I admire these great artists, I don’t like comparing myself to them.” he expressed. He says that art is not a field of comparison or grading oneself looking at the work of another. He believes in creating his own legacy, at his own pace and in a unique manner.
When dealing with each and every profession, the mentorship ladder goes down from one hero in the field to another. An upcoming artist goes on to envy the artist at the top, and a young lawyer in the making, still pursuing his course, will look up to one highly recognised lawyer who’s already making strides in court. But for Martin, that’s not the case. He noted that Hungani Ndlovu, who is one of South Africa’s biggest acts, is his mentor when it comes to life and everything.
He went on and on to explain how much he admires the man he is, his confidence in what he does has highly motivated him. “But if you wanted to know who I look up to in the art industry, then I would say it’s Heather Rooney, I really love her work, she really pours herself onto every portrait she does,” he explained.
Lastly, Martin advises upcoming artists that they should never stop drawing no matter how imperfect they may think their work is. They should not stop at all because in art there is always room for improvement, and that perfection in art is not a destination but a journey.
Keleabetswe is a 24 year old woman from Palapye. A product of Lotsane Senior School and Limkonkwing University. She loves writing..music and solving puzzles. Her dream is to be the best business and health news journalist.
